Victoria to consider doing away with dog, cat registration

The Victoria City Council will hear the first reading Tuesday of an ordinance removing the requirement to register dogs and cats in the city.

Victoria City-County Health Department Board of Health voted earlier this year to request the city council to eliminate the requirement for dog and cat registration.

"It's one of those things that was valuable at the time, but has outlived its usefulness," said Dr. John Beck, board of health member and veterinarian. "It was originally intended to encourage rabies vaccinations. Pet owners who don't get their pets vaccinated aren't going to register anyway.

Registration is $5 per year per animal.

"It's taxing the good people who come in for their shots," Beck said.

Also on Tuesday's agenda are the second and third readings of an ordinance amending the budget by transferring $114,000 from the motel tax fund balance to be distributed among the Victoria Symphony, Victoria Bach Festival, Cultural Council, Quilt Guild of Greater Victoria, Victoria Ballet Theatre, Museum of the Coastal Bend and Victoria Regional Museum Association.